An Old Favorite Outsold New Nintendo Games in 2024

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to impress with its enduring popularity. In the third quarter of the 2024 financial year, it sold an additional 5.38 million units, bringing its total sales to 67.35 million copies on the Nintendo Switch. Including the Wii U version, the combined sales exceed 70 million copies, making it the fifth-best-selling video game ever, following titles like Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto V.

Despite being eight years old, or eleven if we count the original Wii U release, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains a favorite among players. In the last quarter, it was the second-best-selling game on the Switch, surpassed only by Super Mario Party Jamboree, which launched on October 17 and sold 6.17 million units.

Other recent releases include The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, which sold 3.4 million units, and Mario and Luigi: Brothership, with 1.4 million units sold. These numbers highlight the strong performance of Nintendo’s first-party titles.

However, it’s worth noting that Nintendo’s hardware sales have seen a decline, with a 30.6% decrease year-over-year. This downturn has led to anticipation for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, which many hope will revitalize hardware sales.

The enduring success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe underscores its lasting appeal and the strong support from the gaming community. As we look forward to new releases and hardware updates, it’s clear that Nintendo continues to captivate players worldwide.